Given A choice / gas tank >:>:>

In Massachusetts I would go with steel, I don't know the specs, but seems you could crack the plastic if it got real cold
 
There is advantages to both i guess. The plastic will not corrode or rust which sure is a plus. I think the plastic over steel and stainless over plastic because it will do anything the plastic will and in a crash would not burst as easy as plastic.
 
51 MERC-CT said:
And what about all the current production automobiles that have plastic tanks?
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You are probably right and it is just my bias against most things plastic. I doubt that repop gas tanks have the same materials and engineering scrutiny as the new car manufacturers do. Just an uneducated opinion not based in knowledge.
 
Most of us are not going to drive these cars in the winter salt or other chemicals put on the roadways so I think a metal tank that fits well and doesn't break the bank makes sense.
Not adverse to plastic but metal is more in the original vein.
 
Whatever tank you decide on buying investigate what fuel sender you will use and does the tank fit it. Also mounting fit and ease. Post your intentions here before buying and I am sure you will get some good advice.
John
 
I Have Used Both With Out Any Problems, But The Last One I Replaced Was A" Tanks Metal " From Yogi's They Are Very Nice Replacements.and would use again.
 
Marv said:
I think the plastic over steel and stainless over plastic because it will do anything the plastic will and in a crash would not burst as easy as plastic.
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NASCAR requires plastic fuel cells due to their higher tolerance against bursting or cut in a crash relative to steel and stainless. Plastic tanks won't rust, dent, are way more pucture resistant and fit very nicely. Their form, fit, and function are equal to steel. Having said that, if appearance is important to you and the tank is visible, go with stainless. Stainless, however, is quite a bit more costly.

Steel tanks are being relaced,why; they are rusty and the replacemant steel tanks will do so even more quickly due to the ethanol fuels we use. Ethanol ain't goin' away. In fact, E15 or higher is in your future.
 
I will never forget that one of our fellow Barner's was on his way to the same car show I was attending and a piece of steel on the road somehow came up and punctured a hole in his plastic gas tank. Someone behind him saw a stream of gas coming from beneath his car and flagged him down. That could have been a disaster had circumstances gone a little different. I prefer to have steel tanks on my old Fords. Having said that, I have a modern pickup truck that came from the factory with a plastic gas tank when I bought it 12 years ago. No problems with that one so far...knock on plastic :)
 
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I have a Ford truck that has a plastic gas tank from the factory, but it has a roughly 1/8 thick steel sheild that holds it in place and protects the bottom of the tank.
 
Bill, take your pick. Either one will most likely out last us. It boils down to what is the most cost effective. That said, I used a Tanks Inc. steel tank in the pickup. It fit right and added 2 gallons capacity. Plus the sender they sell works with the stock gauge.
 
Plastic tanks don't sweat like steel. Won't rust. If a car sits a lot something to think about. Eddie
 
I have a plastic one in my 48 Ford, been there almost twenty years and never had a bit of trouble out of it. Very happy with it. Don't have to worry about rust.

The one I got has 20 gallons, and I can drive forever (well almost) with that amount.
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
I will never forget that one of our fellow Barner's was on his way to the same car show I was attending and a piece of steel on the road somehow came up and punctured a hole in his plastic gas tank. Someone behind him saw a stream of gas coming from beneath his car and flagged him down. That could have been a disaster had circumstances gone a little different. I prefer to have steel tanks on my old Fords. Having said that, I have a modern pickup truck that came from the factory with a plastic gas tank when I bought it 12 years ago. No problems with that one so far...knock on plastic :)
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Know of a similar situation that happened years ago. It was a piece of old car spring that punctured a hole in a steel gas tank. Unfortunately being a steel tank a spark was generated and ignited the fuel. Rear end of the car was roasted. If it were a plastic tank it probably would not have ignited. So the fellow Barner can probably consider himself fortunate that he had a plastic tank.
 
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